Prof. Ralf Buhl is world famous neurosurgeon with over 20 years of experience. Doctor Buhl heads the Neurosurgery Department at Solingen Klinikum. His reputation reaches China and the US where he provides neurosurgical lectures.
Dr. Buhl specializes in non-invasive methods treatment of disc herniation, brain and spinal cord tumors. The doctor provides treatment of peripheral nervous system disorders and performs computer-assisted navigation microsurgeries.
Dr. Ralf Buhl has provided over 4,000 successful neurosurgeries. Among his patients are famous politicians, businessmen, musicians, actors. In 2015, a Hollywood star George Clooney had severe back pain and was treated by Professor Buhl.
Dr. Buhl conducts scientific work and researches in intracranial cavernomas treatment, surgical treatment for brain metastases and other neurosurgery areas.
Рrofessor Buhl has cofound the Fund devoted to the study of brain tumors.
Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport
Translation services 10 hours
Issuing an invitation or visa's applying
Personal medical coordinator
Medical travel arrangements — booking of air tickets and hotel rooms at special partner prices
Patient advocacy during medical travel
A brain surgery price depends on the following factors:
The medical facilities worldwide can offer a more or less extended package of brain tumor surgery cost. In most of the cases, the price includes:
Specify what the brain tumor operation cost includes in the chosen hospital by submitting a request on Bookimed.
The cheapest brain surgery price is starting from $6,900. This cost is available in Indian medical facilities. This is 2 times cheaper than in South Korea or Thailand, and 3-5 times cheaper than in the European country. Such a cost is explained by general price policy within the state and income of local citizens.
The average price for brain tumor removal is $19,400. The cost was calculated according to data provided by clinics Bookimed cooperates with.
While choosing the hospital for brain tumor surgery, take into account:
The operation to remove a brain tumor is carried out if the neoplasm:
Only a specialist can determine the final decision about the possibility of surgery and the brain tumor removal cost.
Craniotomy for brain tumor removal
Craniotomy (trepanation of the skull) is a traditional option for brain tumor removal. A neurosurgeon removes the upper part of the skull. It provides a good visibility during the surgery and allows removing a tumor completely.
The procedure is conducted under general anesthesia and control of neuronavigation system.
In some cases, the surgery is performed when a patient is conscious. In such a way, a doctor can control the functioning of the patient’s brain during the operation. While a neurosurgeon operates, another doctor or nurse asks a patient questions to check memory, hearing, vision. This technique is called craniotomy in consciousness or awake craniotomy.
The advantages of craniotomy:
The disadvantages of the method:
Endoscopic brain tumor removal
This is technique for brain surgery when a neurosurgeon removes a tumor through a hole in the skull bone (about 3 cm in diameter). A doctor inserts surgical instruments and a special camera through this opening. It allows completely seeing the formation and surrounding tissues.
The operation is performed under general anesthesia.
The advantages of the method:
The endoscopic brain tumor removal is not indicated when a tumor is large.
Tumors of the pituitary are removed through the nasal sinuses.
To find out how much brain tumor surgery costs in your case, submit a request on Bookimed.
Microsurgical removal of a brain tumor
This is the removal of a tumor under the control of neuronavigation.
Neuronavigation is a special system that allows controlling process of operation on the brain. The operation consists of 2 steps.
Step 1: Planning
A patient must undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) of the brain. A doctor loads examination results into a computer navigation station. The system helps choosing the best access type to remove the tumor.
Step 2: Operation
The data loaded into the station and the neurosurgeon's instruments are connected to the patient's brain. A doctor uses special infrared cameras and reflecting frames to make the connection. Neuronavigation detects each movement of a doctor with an error margin of 1 mm. In this case, mistakes are minimal or absent.
The technique is used for craniotomy and endoscopic tumor removal.
The advantages of the operation:
The disadvantage of the method: it is not used for tumors located in hard-to-reach places.
Removal of a tumor under the control of neuromonitoring
Neuromonitoring is a system for evaluating basic brain functions. It analyzes such conditions during the surgery:
intracranial pressure
blood flow
metabolism
function of the brain.
During the operation, neuromonitoring controls the brain activity in dynamics. A neurosurgeon receives information about organism vitals in a real time. It helps to prevent damage of healthy brain tissues.
Neuromonitoring is used for craniotomy and endoscopic removal of the brain tumor.
The advantages of the operation:
The disadvantage of the method: it is not used for tumors that are located in hard-to-reach places.
If the tumor cannot be removed surgically, a doctor may prescribe radiotherapy. Such techniques as CyberKnife, GammaKnife, Novalis linear accelerator are available in the leading clinics.
The brain tumor surgery cost is determined individually taking into account an operation type, tumor location, patient’s health condition.
Such tests are conducted before a brain tumor removal:
A patient stays in the intensive care unit for up to 3 days after the operation.
The duration of hospital stay is:
If the tumor influences any organism functions, a patient needs to undergo neurologic rehabilitation. Its duration depends on the health condition. The price for rehab is not included in the brain tumor surgery cost.
After the brain tumor removal it is necessary to regularly undergo medical examination and MRI. It allows estimating the effectiveness of treatment and preventing possible relapse in time.
Bookimed services are free for patients. We are an independent service and directly cooperate with the best hospitals worldwide.